Tag Archives: God’s Protection

Aug26

The Light of Life

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Sunrise Amelia April 2006 021

When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said,

“I amthe Light of the world.

Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness,

but will have the Light of Life.”

John 8:12

 In a darkened room, the flickering flame of one small candle can illuminate the entire space.  On a grander scale, God used a pillar of fire at night to guide the people of Israel through the wilderness.  As they roamed through the desert on their journey to the Promised Land, they never had to take a step in darkness.  When the pillar of fire moved, they followed.  It was an ever-present symbol of God’s presence, protection and guidance in their lives.

 Jesus came to illuminate the darkness of the entire world.  He brought God’s presence, protection and guidance to each one of us.  Do you follow the Light of Life?  Is He the light of your world?

 

Aug17

When We Face Fiery Trials

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If we are thrown into the blazing furnace,

the God we serve is able to save us from it.

Daniel 3:17

 

How many times have you been through “fiery trials” in life?  Do you possess the kind of faith that allows you to say that the God you serve is able to save you from a blazing furnace? 

Three young men in the Bible had faith to believe that our God could save them from the fate of a blazing furnace.  Because they would not bow down to worship a 90’ tall golden image, King Nebuchadnezzar ordered that they be thrown into a flaming furnace for punishment.   This blazing furnace was a huge industrial size furnace, possibly used for baking bricks or smelting metals.  The king had ordered that it be heated seven times hotter than normal to assure that no one could survive this fatal punishment.  In fact, the temperatures were so intensely hot that its fiery blast killed soldiers who went close to the opening.  In spite of this, the three young men proclaimed, “if we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it.”  (Daniel 3:17 NIV)

Per the king’s orders, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were tied up tightly and thrown into the blazing furnace.  Miraculously, they survived their intended fate without any harm.  In amazement, the king himself actually witnessed a heavenly visitor walking around in the flames with them:  “He said, ‘Look!  I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like the Son of God.’”  (Daniel 3: 25 NIV)

Notice this important fact:  God showed up right in the midst of their fiery trial.  He preserved their lives and walked along beside them, comforting them throughout their frightening ordeal.  He protected them from harm, and He made His presence known to them.

Upon seeing this miraculous event, King Nebuchadnezzar ordered the three young “servants of the Most High God” to come out of the blazing furnace.   All the royal advisors crowded around as well, and “They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair on their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them.”  (Daniel 3:27 NIV) These young men had been completely untouched by the fire and heat!  You can’t even sit around a camp fire without your clothes and hair smelling like smoke!  The only things that had burned in the fire were the ropes that bound them, proving that no human can bind us if God wants us free.

The same God who preserved the lives of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego inside the flaming furnace can save you from your own problems.  What type of fiery trial are you facing today?  Your extreme difficulty may be in the form of a

  • tragic accident,
  • critical illness,
  • financial crisis,
  • violent crime,
  • disabling condition,
  • broken relationship,
  • troubled child,
  • loss of a job,
  • loss of a loved one, or
  • devastation from a storm.

No matter what you are up against in life, the God we serve is able to save you right in the midst of your “blazing furnace.”

Many times we wonder why God didn’t prevent the fiery trial in the first place.  We might become angry, bitter, resentful or depressed about the fact that God allowed something terrible to happen in our lives.  Yet the miracle that God performs in your life when He brings you through a time of extreme difficulty has an amazing impact on others as a testimony of God’s greatness.  It also strengthens your own faith like nothing else can and draws you closer to God than you ever would have been otherwise.  God’s protection in times of great trouble transcends anything we could imagine.   If God always prevented believers from enduring any type of problem in life, Christians would not need faith.  We should be faithful to serve God whether He intervenes in our lives or not.

If you are a child of God who finds yourself in the midst of a fiery trial today, look for God’s presence right there beside you.  The same power that delivered Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from the blazing furnace also parted the Red Sea and raised Jesus from the dead.  That same power can deliver you from whatever you are facing.  Trust God in every situation in life and realize that there are eternal reasons for temporary trials.

Be thankful that your destiny is in the divine hands of God!

“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”  Genesis 50:20

 

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28

 

Feb19

Yet I will Rejoice

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Even though the fig trees have no blossoms,
and there are no grapes on the vines;
even though the olive crop fails,
and the fields lie empty and barren;
even though the flocks die in the fields,
and the cattle barns are empty…
yet I will rejoice in the LORD!
I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!
The Sovereign LORD is my strength!
He makes me as surefooted as a deer,
able to tread upon the heights.

Habakkuk 3:17 – 19 NIV


When you feel overwhelmed by the weight of problems bearing down on you from all sides or if your troubles seem to be more that you can handle, remember that you can still find joy in our LORD, and that joy is actually your source of strength.

“Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10 NIV

We are not controlled by the circumstances swirling around our lives. As children of God, we have a source of unlimited strength within us to endure any trial we face. He will give us surefooted confidence to place one foot in front of the other as we tread through the deepest valleys. You will run like a swift deer through dangerous and rough terrain.

Instead of focusing on your difficulties, look to God and rejoice in Him. Your troubles will pale in comparison to the light of His glory. Trust Him with any situation in life, and you will find confidence and hope in the darkest of days.

Dec31

New Year’s Eve

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I remember the days of long ago;
   I meditate on all your works
   and consider what your hands have done.

Psalm 143:5 (NIV)

On New Year’s Eve, most of us are focused on the new beginning that we will face tomorrow with the birth of a New Year. But for every “new beginning” there has to be an “ending.” Today is a good time to reflect back upon the events of the past year and recall God’s presence in your life through each month, week, day and moment.

For some, the past year brought abundant blessings. It’s easy to thank God for good fortune that might have come your way, yet it is also easy to forget that all our blessings come from God’s hand. For others, the past year was filled with painful memories or difficult trials. During our darkest moments, we can lose sight of the fact that God is always by our side, helping us through any situation we face

Often we do not notice and appreciate all of the ways that God provides, protects, loves and cares for us along our journey in life. The fact that our daily needs are met is usually taken for granted. We have food to eat, clothes to wear, a warm bed to give us rest, and a roof to shelter us. How often do we stop and give thanks…genuine thanks…to God for these basic needs which are being met by His hand? Worse yet, we mistakenly take the credit ourselves for being good providers instead of recognizing God’s hand in the process.

As the past year comes to an end, I pray that God would engulf me with His spirit so that I may see my world through His holy eyes to envision His hand of blessing upon my life…even during the painful trials and darkest days of the past year. I pray that He would give me a spiritual mind so that I might understand His plan for each of my days ahead as His purpose for my life unfolds. I pray that He would give me spiritual ears to hear His voice as He speaks to me and that He would give me a spiritual heart so that I may love those around me the way He would want me to love them…unconditionally. I pray that I remain constantly mindful of the miracles He has performed in my own life and that I never take for granted that His favor and His hand of blessing is upon me and my family and that His presence never leaves my side…even in the deepest valleys. Amen.

 


I will remember the deeds of the LORD;
   Yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.

Psalm 77:11


 

Jun10

My Heart Will Not Fear

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The Lord is the light of my salvation-

Whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the stronghold of my life-

Of whom shall I be afraid?

Though an army besiege me,

My heart will not fear,

Though war break out against me,

Even then will I be confident.

Psalm 27: 1, 3

 

God does not lack the power to bring order to a chaotic world…or a chaotic life. You may not be engaged in a physical war, but you may feel besieged by a battle you are facing in your personal life. Your struggle could be a medical crisis, a relational rift, a financial stress or an internal trial. Regardless of which type of war is breaking out against you, you can find the strength to endure by placing your trust in the One who is the light of your salvation and the stronghold of your life. With God by your side, you can face any situation with courage and confidence…and without fear.

Feb22

Rock Solid Savior

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I love you, LORD;

You are my Strength.

The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior;
      my God is my rock, in whom I find protection.
   He is my shield, the power that saves me,
      and my place of safety.

Psalm 18:1-2 (New Living Translation)

 

God’s protection of His children can take many forms. He is our Strength whose power is limitless. He is our Rock, our firm foundation that can’t be moved. He is our Fortress, a place of safety and refuge. He is our Shield who comes between us and harm. Nothing can ever pluck you from the eternal security of God’s hands. He is our mighty and wonderful Savior. Take refuge in His loving arms. Call upon Him for help.